The study of Hawaiian coins, tokens, medals, paper money, and scrip.

Unraveling the 2MB-44 Mintage Figure

2MB-44 is 21 mm coin with the King Kamehameha I obverse and 1981 Pineapple design reverse. The “Pineapple” design has the words “ALOHA / 19 / (center figure of a pineapple) / 81 / MINTED ON THE BIG ISLAND”. Medcalf & Russell (M&R) indicates it’s bronze with a mintage of 650. The Royal Hawaiian Mint (RHM) database indicates it’s bronze that has been gold plated and with a mintage of 1250.

Note: M&R describes the coins as “MINTED ON HAWAII”. In reality, it’s “MINTED ON THE BIG ISLAND”.

Note: The gold plated coins can be easily spotted with the proper knowledge. I’m not sure why The Hawaiian Mint issued a 24KT version and a gold plated version of the same coin design. It actually helps dishonest individuals immediately, by removing the gold plated coin from its packaging and selling it as an actual gold coin without its packaging. As a warning, I urge you to know the difference between a real gold coin and a gold plated coin.

I have to believe by the RHM mintage figure of 1250. In addition, M&R never mentioned that 2MB-44 is gold plated bronze.

One of the basic collector rule is to keep all original packaging of the item being collected. It will aid in authentication and help boost its resale value. Below is a 2MB-44 in its original coin holder and issued box. The inventory sticker (MP-P SS) on the top of the box is a normal inventory practice that The Hawaiian Mint used and can be seen on their product packaging. On the bottom of the box is the company’s gold sticker (another practice used to label their products). Both stickers legitimize the box as an originally issued by The Hawaiian Mint. As for the coin holder, its all original and sealed.